About Us

Dr. Chris Hansen graduated from Athens High School in Athens, West Virginia in 1988. He performed undergraduate studies in the Honors Program at West Virginia University. He continued his professional training at the Indiana University School of Optometry, completing the doctoral program with honors. Dr. Hansen then served as an optometrist in the United States Air Force for four years, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal before leaving the service to return home to the Appalachians.

Dr. Hansen founded Appalachian Eye Care in 2001 and New River Eye Care in 2004. He is certified in Primary Care Optometry and in the treatment and Management of Ocular Disease by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He is also an active member of the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians and the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Hansen is a die-hard Mountaineer and a Hoosier, but he married a Hokie. He plays several stringed instruments and is still trying to find one he is good at! Dr. Hansen is blessed to play music on occasion in church with his mother and children. In addition to music, he enjoys training and participating in triathlons – swimming, biking and running — and completed a 140.6 mile Ironman in 2015.

Dr. McKenzie Bright grew up in Grundy, Virginia and graduated from Grundy High School. She earned a bachelors degree in Biology from University of Virginia’s College at Wise in Wise, VA in 2016. She graduated from the Kentucky College of Optometry with honors in 2020.

Dr. McKenzie fell in love with West Virginia during her clinical rotations and wanted to provide quality health care to residents in the area. Her hobbies are traveling, reading, binge watching TV shows, and playing with her dog, Bella Mae. Dr. McKenzie and her husband Joe welcomed their first child, Wren, in April 2024.

Dr. McKenzie is an active member of the American Optometric Association and student liaison for the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians. She was honored as the West Virginia Young Optometrist of the Year in 2023.

Dr. Blake Hopkins grew up in Athens, WV and graduated from PikeView High School in Mercer County. He attended Concord University in Athens, WV where he competed as captain of the varsity esports team. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2021, graduating with honors. He then completed his Doctor of Optometry training at the Indiana University School of Optometry.

Dr. Hopkins and his wife, Hannah, were excited to return home and join the Appalachian Eye Care family where he was a lifelong patient and previous technician. He is thrilled to be working at a practice that places the same value on patient care and hospitality that he does. He is an active member of the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians and the American Optometric Association. He is also certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in Primary Care Optometry, treatment and management of Ocular Disease, and minor surgical procedures and injections.

Dr. Hopkins loves watching and playing sports like pickleball and disc golf. He is a big music fan, including playing guitar and piano. He is glad to live in an area where you can always find home-cooked food, the tea is always sweet, and friends and strangers are treated alike.